A damning report from a British public inquiry has concluded that former Prime Minister Boris Johnson presided over a toxic, chaotic, and dithering government response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The investigation found that a critical delay in imposing a national lockdown led to a devastatingly high number of preventable deaths.
A Costly Delay in Action
The inquiry, chaired by former judge Heather Hallett, delivered its blistering assessment on Thursday, November 20. It determined that Britain's failure to act swiftly in the early stages of the pandemic resulted in an estimated 23,000 more deaths during the first wave alone. Had the country entered lockdown just one week earlier, on March 16 instead of March 23, 2020, the death toll for that period could have been nearly halved.
Overall, the United Kingdom recorded more than 230,000 deaths from COVID-19, a mortality rate that surpassed most other nations in Western Europe. The report stated that Johnson himself failed to grasp the severity of the virus in early 2020, dismissing it as insignificant and being distracted by other government business, notably the final stages of the UK's departure from the European Union.
A Culture of Chaos and Poor Leadership
The inquiry painted a picture of a dysfunctional government centre during the crisis. It described a toxic and chaotic culture at the heart of Johnson's administration. The former Prime Minister was criticized for his indecisiveness, frequently changing his mind and failing to make timely decisions.
This leadership style fostered an environment where, according to the report, the loudest voices prevailed and the views of other colleagues, particularly women, often went ignored. This culture was deemed detrimental to effective and inclusive decision-making when it was needed most.
Key Figures Under Fire
The inquiry's criticism extended beyond Boris Johnson. Former Health Minister Matt Hancock was cited for concerns over his truthfulness and reliability in official meetings. He later resigned from his position after being found to have breached the very COVID restrictions he helped to create.
Some of the harshest language was reserved for Johnson's top adviser, Dominic Cummings. While credited with a commendable role in early policy shifts, the report labelled him a destabilising influence who used offensive and misogynistic language and operated far outside the boundaries of his proper role.
When he testified before the inquiry in 2023, Johnson admitted his government had been overly complacent and had vastly underestimated the risks, offering an apology for the failures. The inquiry report included 19 recommendations aimed at strengthening the country's preparedness for any future pandemics, hoping to prevent a repeat of the tragic missteps.
